Pro Oracle Spatial for Oracle Database 11g

CHAPTER 6Geocoding

To run the examples in this chapter, you need to import the following dataset. For complete details on creating this user and loading the data, refer to the introduction.

imp spatial/spatial file=gc.dmp ignore=y full=y

In preceding chapters, we discussed how to perform spatial searches and analysis. In each example, the entities manipulated (customers, ATMs, stores, and so on) were spatially located. They all included an SDO_GEOMETRY column containing their spatial location using geographical coordinates (longitude and latitude).

But how did this happen? Where did this information come from? Certainly, you cannot ask your customers to give their geographical coordinates when they register with you or when they place an order! ...